Strategic Integration of Operational Assessment into the Transformation of Urban Wastelands to Sustainable Neighborhoods

It is now common knowledge, the regeneration of previously developed sites in urban areas can have positive impacts on the environment, the economy and the society as they constitute opportunities for the densification of the existing built fabric. In the context of the post-industrial European city, the urban wastelands offer thus an important potential of buildable surfaces and a chance to revitalize some portions of cities and metropolitan areas. Initiatives of this type are now strongly fostered by land use policies. However, it must be noted that in most cases references made to the concept of sustainable development are still often partial and superficial. Its integration requires a proactive and holistic approach, integrated in a participative way into the project dynamic, and a continuous assessment of the many dimensions of sustainability in regard with the specificity of these sites. The strategic integration of operational assessment into urban wastelands transformation projects is addressing specifically with these targets. Preliminary research projects have allowed to identify a first set of criteria and indicators based on specific characteristics of wasteland regeneration projects and to achieve a first test application on a concrete project. On the basis of that works, this paper shows the transposition of this set into a digital monitoring tool, entitled SIPRIUS, in order to create an operational assessment methodology that concretely facilitates the transformation of urban wastelands into sustainable neighborhoods.

Integration of Sustainability Issues into the Regeneration of Urban Wasteland: From Theoretical Framework to Operational Monitoring Tool

Martine Laprise, Sophie Lufkin

Abstract: Regeneration of urban wastelands can contribute to revitalize and densify some portions of post-industrial European cities. A growing number of urban wasteland regenerations is now promoted by diverse territorial measures. However, it must be recognized that they mostly focus on “green constructions”, leaving aside holistic aspects of the concept of sustainability. Indeed, due to the inherent complexity of these projects, achieving the objectives of sustainable development is not spontaneous. It depends upon a proactive search for global quality, integrated into the project dynamics, and a continuous assessment of sustainability tailored to these sites. In reaction, this paper presents how a strategic integration of sustainability issues into urban wasteland regeneration projects can answer these targets. Preliminary research led to the creation of a theoretical framework, validated by a test application. Consequently, steps to transform this framework into an operational monitoring tool are presented. The resulting tool aims to concretely facilitate the regeneration of urban wastelands into truly sustainable neighborhoods. Urban strategy, wasteland regeneration, sustainable neighborhood, sustainability assessment, indicator system, monitoring tool.

2014

Scrutinizing the Circular Economy concept applied at the urban level:A contribution based on the analysis of urban circularity indicators, the categorization ofCircular Economy interventions, and the identification of factors fostering the adoption ofcircular innovation.

Valeria Superti

Problem. Our current economic systems are deemed unsustainable. Although a global issue, the objective of living in a sustainable society is increasingly an urban challenge, as a rising 50% of the world's population currently dwell in cities. To secure a better urban future, integrated and actionable urban knowledge focused on what urban sustainability entails and how to achieve it is needed. In this context, the Circular Economy (CE) concept fosters efficient resource use through value-retention processes and waste minimization. Despite the wide attention on the CE, its interconnectedness with, and contribution to, sustainability, and whether these concepts might support or hinder each other, have not yet been clarified. Besides, knowledge is needed to guide cities towards a CE, for example, by identifying the types of interventions needed to achieve circularity, and the factors affecting the adoption of innovation that can foster it.Aim. This dissertation aims to scrutinize the CE concept applied in urban settings. It is based on a) the analysis of indicators used to assess circular cities, b) the categorization of interventions aimed at achieving a CE, and c) the identification of factors that affect the adoption of recycled products, as one measure towards CE.Approach. Indicators used to assess circularity and sustainability in urban settings were analyzed and compared. Semi-structured expert interviews were performed to iterate a framework that categorizes interventions that foster the achievement of a CE. A behavioral framework was developed that combines insights from the theory of adoption of innovation and behavioral theories, to identify and analyze the factors that can affect architects' decisions to recommend recycled concrete. A survey was used to gather quantitative insights from architects on their beliefs about the selected product.Insights. The results show that the concept of an urban CE is embedded in the broader concept of urban sustainability; however, the use of CE indicator sets entail a more detailed focus on certain thematic groups (e.g., waste production and management), for which more indicators are available in comparison with what offered by urban sustainability indicator sets. To categorize CE interventions, the proposed framework (RISE: Research & Realize, Implement, Support, Enable) offers a tool to guide the achievement of CE targets. In current circularity assessments, specifically in the construction sector, most attention is paid to implementation interventions (e.g., the quantity of material recycled). However, some of them (e.g., recycling strategies) still face barriers. Focusing on one recycling strategy (i.e., recycling concrete aggregates for recycled concrete) we inquired about the factors that affect this product's adoption. A senior position, a high level of knowledge of the material and a specific label, beliefs about the material's lower environmental impact, and prescriptive social norms affect the selected innovation's adoption. Finally, we suggest leveraging specific predictors of behavior to increase the recommendation of recycled concrete.Conclusions. This work contributed to shed light on the CE concept. This research challenged the added value of focusing on a CE rather than sustainability. Furthermore, it put forward a) an integrative perspective on achieving a CE focusing on a systemic approach, and b) a holistic behavioral framework for analyzing innovation adoption.

EPFL2021

An Operational Indicator System for the Integration of Sustainability into the Design Process of Urban Wasteland Regeneration Projects

Martine Laprise, Sophie Lufkin

In the context of sustainable development of European post-industrial cities, urban wastelands offer an important potential of surfaces to recapture. The regeneration of these sites is indeed an opportunity to simultaneously create density within the existing built fabric and revitalize some portions of cities and metropolitan areas. Although the launching of several initiatives of this type can be observed, their implication toward sustainable development is in most cases implicit and superficial. In point of fact, integration of sustainability into urban wasteland regeneration projects cannot be summarized by a mere density issue. It requires a proactive search for global quality, implemented in a participative way into the project dynamics, and a continuous monitoring of environmental, social and economic dimensions adapted to such projects. Specifically addressing these considerations, this paper introduces the development of an operational indicator system for the integration of sustainability into the design process of urban wasteland regeneration projects. It aims to provide a tool for structured and continuous evaluation, hinged on their specific characteristics, and to give useful basis to stakeholders involved in their management. Subsequently, the paper presents a first test application performed on a project underway in Switzerland, which validates its usability. Further work suggests the integration of the system into a digital monitoring tool in order to make it applicable to a variety of projects of this type.

2014

Valeria Superti

EPFL2021